Airbus' initial hydrogen-powered test flights will be sped up by Blue Condor's involvement
The Blue Condor project, a significant milestone in Airbus' ZEROe journey, is shedding light on the impact of hydrogen on engine behavior, contrails, and non-CO emissions. This groundbreaking initiative is being led by Airbus UpNext, who have enlisted the Arcus-J glider for the mission.
With a 20-metre wingspan, the Arcus-J glider is commonly used for free flight. But for the Blue Condor project, it will be modified to run on hydrogen-propulsion, powered by two 700-bar gaseous hydrogen tanks.
Mathias Andriamisaina, Airbus Head of Zero-Emission Demonstrators, emphasizes the scholarly and science-based approach of the project, particularly in contrail characterization. The core objective of the Blue Condor project is to analyze the properties of contrails formed from hydrogen combustion, an area with limited research.
Contrails produced by hydrogen combustion differ significantly from those produced by conventional combustion engines. Hydrogen combustion primarily emits water vapor, approximately 2.6 times more than traditional kerosene jet fuel. This shift in emissions profoundly influences contrail formation and properties since contrails are ice clouds formed from water vapor.
The Blue Condor project's findings could have far-reaching implications for aviation decarbonization strategies and contrail climate forcing. Key elements of interest when analyzing contrail properties include ice crystal size, distribution, density, number, and water vapour in the atmosphere.
The first flight test campaign for the Blue Condor project is expected in July 2022, aiming to validate the overall platform configuration and flight handling. A second flight test campaign is planned for November 2022, during which the modified glider will operate exclusively on hydrogen.
The third flight test campaign, scheduled for early 2023, will involve a Grob Egrett aircraft guiding the two gliders to test altitude, releasing them, and mirroring their movements for back-to-back tests.
The Perlan Project and Airbus, along with technical partners, will modify one Arcus-J glider for the Blue Condor mission. The German aerospace centre (DLR) will provide emissions sensors and associated instrumentation for the third flight test campaign.
The results of the Blue Condor project will play an essential role in preparing the groundwork for the flight-testing phases of the ZEROe demonstrator using the A380 platform. The project complements Airbus' overall climate strategy, aiming to better understand contrails produced by alternative fuel sources.
Several Airbus initiatives are currently underway, including the ECLIF3 and VOLAN flight demonstration projects, focusing on emissions characterization, including contrails, related to the use of 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The Blue Condor project is a major step in Airbus' ZEROe journey, launching the first series of in-flight tests using a hydrogen combustion engine.
The Blue Condor project, an initiative under Airbus UpNext, is utilizing hydrogen for the propulsion of the Arcus-J glider, marking a significant shift in the aerospace industry's finance and technology dynamics. With key partners like the German aerospace centre (DLR) and the Perlan Project, this project's findings could shape the future of aviation, affecting decarbonization strategies, contrail climate forcing, and the broader understanding of contrail properties related to alternative fuel sources, such as hydrogen, in the field of technology and finance.
